Relevant

The Pikes Peak Children's Museum is making great progress and exciting things are happening weekly!  
We have conducted extensive research, thoroughly done our homework, and developed a course for success.

WHAT'S NEXT?

MASTER PLAN (2011) The Request for Proposal for Phase One has been issued to selected expert Children's Museum Master Planning firms.  By the end of 2011 an advisory firm will be chosen and Phase One will commence, providing thematic direction for the museum as a whole and renderings for regionally-themed exhibits designed uniquely for PPCM.

FUNDRAISING FEASIBILITY STUDY (2012) In the first half of 2012 a Request for Proposal will be drafted and issued to experts in fundraising analysis for non-profits.  Once a firm is chosen, the feasibility study will be conducted immediately as a precursor to kicking off the Capital Campaign during the second half of 2012. 

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN (2012) In the second half of 2012 the official Capital Campaign will commence, kicking off approximately three years of fundraising.

SITE SELECTION (2012)  We plan to have a location secured by the end of 2012, though we are currently working diligently to secure an appropriate location for a building of at least 40,000 square feet.

ARCHITECTURAL PLANS (2013) We anticipate being able to hire an architectural firm(s) in 2013 to begin the process of building design. 

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS (2014) Our current timeline has us breaking ground some time in 2014.

MUSEUM OPENS (2015) We plan to open our doors for our signature event, Noon Year's Eve, on December 31, 2015.  Please plan to join us for this exciting event!

WHERE WE'VE BEEN

INITIAL RESEARCH (2005-2007) Our research included interviews with hundreds of parents and community leaders, numerous constituent focus groups and fact-finding missions to more than 40 Children's Museums all over the country.  We became members of the professional industry association enabling us to pick the brains of many members of the Association of Children’s Museums and some of the industry experts to learn from as many of their successes and lessons learned as possible. The most important things we learned: our market is well suited to support a major children's museum; our community wants a first-class children’s museum; and, there are many influential and involved people ready, willing and able to help make it happen.

SEED MONEY CAMPAIGN (2007-2008) An initial seed money campaign began in 2007 with fund-raising house parties and the formation of our Commando Team. By the end of 2008, we raised enough to complete our Feasibility Study as well as phase one of the Master Plan.  By stepping up to fund these studies entirely with individual donations, the community demonstrated a broad level of support for the Pikes Peak Children's Museum. 

FEASIBILITY STUDY (January 2008)  A feasibility study was completed showing a Children's Museum is needed and will be successful in the Pikes Peak Region.  Download the Study here.

COMMUNITY FORUMS (April 2008) In early April 2008, with the phenomenal help of Leadership Pikes Peak, we hosted a series of forums with community and business leaders, educators, parents and grandparents. The goal was to find out what our community wants in a children's museum. The turnout was fantastic, and we offer our sincere thanks to all who participated and gave us so many great ideas. The results will provide a foundation for the Master Plan. 

CHILDREN'S FORUMS (January 2009) Students at local schools participated in forum-style discussions to help the Pike Peak Children's Museum find out what the kids in our community want in a children's museum. 

LOGO CONTEST (March - April 2009) With help from the Pikes Peak Library District we held a logo contest to capitalize on great ideas from the children in our community.  We chose a winner from among many outstanding submissions and the winning logo provided inspiration for the logo we now use!

PIKES PEAK LIBRARY DISTRICT PARTNERSHIP (2009) - We are thrilled to have a letter of intent from the PPLD stating they plan to operate a Children's Library immediately adjacent or adjoined to the PPCM.  

MUSEUM WITHOUT WALLS (2009-Present) Given the enthusiastic support of the community and the eagerness of parents to have the Pikes Peak Children's Museum available to utilize as soon as possible, we began operations prior to having an actual physical location which we call our "Museum without Walls" or "MWOW" for short.  Through our MWOW programming we bring portable hands-on exhibits to many events and venues around town and conduct some of our own signature events such as Noon Year's Eve, a high-spirited celebration at noon on New Year's Eve to enable families with young children to ring in the new year together at a reasonable hour. 

JUNIOR LEAGUE PARTNERSHIP (October 2011)  Over the past year PPCM Board leaders have been in discussions with Junior League leadership about possibly partnering together to bring this project to fruition.  Junior League members voted affirmatively in October to take PPCM on as their signature project.  Their involvement began immediately and they will remain involved until the doors of the museum open, currently slated for December 2015.  PPCM Leadership could not be more excited about teaming up with this group of amazing, talented and energetic women.  The Junior League counts 200 women in their current membership as well as another 100-plus admirable women among their Sustainers and community advisors, bringing extensive manpower and expertise in addition to considerable presence and influence in the community.